Water-spray section of peeling-machines



S. 1. DUN'KLEY.

WATER SPRAY SECTION 05 FEELING MACHINES. API?LICATION FILED JAN.28;1919.

I 1,362,930. Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

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s. 1 'DUNKLEY.

WATER SPRAY SECT ION 0F FEELING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, I919- 7 1,362,930, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 L L]. DUN/HEY q vbtueooe Q T 2907 8.1 DUNKLEYL WATERSPRAY SECTION OF FEELING MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN-28,1919. Lgag gm Patentad Dec. 21,1926.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- S. J. DUNKLEY WATER SPRAY SECTION OF FEELING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-28, I9I9.

Patented Dec. 21,1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

SAMUEL JDUIIIILEY UNITED STATES IATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J". DUNKLEY, OF KALAIVIAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGIIOR TO DUNKLEYCOMPANY, OF-KALA1VIAZOO, MICHIGAN, A CCRFGRATION OF MICHIGAN.

"WATER-SPRAY SECTION OF PEELING-IVIAGHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed January 28, 1919. Serial No. 273,597.

7 '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY, acitizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Water- Spray Sections ofPeeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the improved water spray section of myimproved peach and vegetable peeling machine illustrated and describedin my concurrent patent application.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an. improved means for delivering and utilizing thewater spray in such peeling machine.

Second, to provide improved spray structures.

Third, to provide improved means of controlling the delivery of water toand the collection of waste water from the machine.

Fourth, to provide improved means of screening the water and circulatingit back to the machine for repeated use.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies ofconstruction and operation, will definitelv appear from the detaileddescription to rollow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means andmechanism.

described in the specification. The invention is clearly defined in theclaims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my apparatus andespecially well adapted for carrying out my improved process is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification, in which- Figure I is an elevation view of my improvedpeeling apparatus, with the feed section A, the preheating section B,and the lye section C in diagram, the water section D, outlined, and theblanchin section E and inspection section F also in diagram.

Fig. II is a side elevation view of the lye section enlarged.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line 3-3 ofF igs. I and II.

Fig. IV is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the casing withone of the covers broken away, showing the arrangement and dispositionof the spray pipes and agitator plows.

Fig. V is a detail perspective view of one of the spray sections of thewater pipe.

Fig. V is a detail sectional view of such spray nozzle section, taken ona line corresponding to line zi of Fig. V.

Fig. VI is an enlarged detail sectional elevation view of the left handend of the supply tank and screen device taken on line 66 of Figs. I, IIand VII Fig. VII is an enlarged right hand sectional elevation viewtaken on line 7-7 of Figs. I, II and VIII.

Fig. VIII is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view through thestorage tank and rotary screen, taken on a line corresponding to line8-8 of Figs. III, VII and IX. 7

Fig. IX is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view through therotary screen and storage tank, taken on a line corresponding to line 99of Figs. II and VIII.

Fig. X is a detail view showing the con stfruction of the openworkconveyer belt.

Fig. XI is a partial detail view in perspective, showing the adjustablepartitions for dividing the lower part of the tank to control thedrainage therefrom.

Fig. XII is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 12-12 ofFigs. III and IV, showing the details of one of the agitator plows.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the reference characters, the different parts of the peachpeeler are given general reference letters in Fig. I. A is the feedersection, B the preheating section, C the lye section, I) the watersection hereunder consideration, shown in outline, E the blanchingsection, and F the inspection section, all of the parts except the watersection, which is outlined, being merely diagrammatic.

The machine comprises general framework supported by legs 1 connected bylongitudinal frame bars 2 and 3 connected by suitable crossbars 4 atintervals. An endless metalopenwork conveyer belt (see Fig. X fordetail) is carried on and actuated by suitable drums at the ends of themachine, and is supported by suitable rollers 6, 6 dising the same areprovided over this general longitudinal casing.

The water compartment is separated from V the remainlng part of themachine by up' wardly extending partitions 12 at each end, forming areceiving pan for the water. Downwardly extending partition 13 separatethe upper part of the casing from the remainder of the machine, thelower edge of which partitions are sufiiciently hlgh above the conveyorbelt to permit the passing of the load of fruit or vegetables thereon.

Transverse bars 14, 1 1 are disposed across the casing above theconveyer belt and carry downwardly depending arms 15 which supportagitator plows 16 disposed in staggered relation to agitate and turn theload of fruit or vegetables on the belt.

The screen 5 (see' Fig. X for detail) is metallic openwork. Cross pipes17 (see Figs. 111 and IV extend transversely through the casing atconsiderable distance above the screen, and similar cross pipes 18 (seeFig. 111) are disposed transversely across the casing at a considerabledistance below the screen. Spray nozzles 19 are built into the pipe,like pipe couplings, at intervals. These nozzles are made of castinghaving a jet hole 20 drilled into the same through the screw-threadedhole 21, which is plugged by plug 22. A flat deflector blade 23 isformed integral with this section and the jet 20 is directed against thesame so that the water delivered from the jet nozzle 20 is spread out infan shape, and the series of such fan-shaped nozzles reaches entirelyacross the casing at each point where pipe 17 or 18 is interposed. Aseries of these pipes 17 and 18 i provided above and below, and thenozzles are arranged in staggered relation so that the entire casing iscovered. It is preferred, however, to have the nozzles arranged o that anozzle comes immediately back of each of the little plows to insure itsefiective action at that point.

These cross pipes 17 and 18 are coupled in pairs one above and oneimmediately below, so that they cotiperate in treating the layer offruit by sprays directly above and directly below, which sprays thusreact the one against the other and prevent the displacement of fruit orvegetables on the belt when a strong ressure i made use of, thusinsuringthe strongest action of the sprays when that is desired.

In the bottom part of the casing there is interposed between the crosspipes 18 an adjustable partition 2 1 carried on the rocker armf25 whichis pivoted at 26 in the side of the casing. A handle 27 serves for thema nipulation of the same and also to indicate whether the partition isswung into or out of position.

The cross pipes are connected to a general header 28 which is suppliedfrom a city water main or fresh water supply by the pipe 29 at the tailof the machine, and is supplied from the circulating system b the pipe30 at the head of the machine. lobe valves or gates 31 are provided inthis header so that the same can be utilized in any proportion desiredfor fresh water or water from the circulating system. Small globe valves32 are provided for opening and closing the connection to each crosspipe, and pressure gages 33 are provided at each cross pipe so that bymanipulation of the valves the pressure delivered to the nozzles can becontrolled and observed.

The water supply from the circulating system is stored in the tank 3 1which is provided with a rotary screen which will be hereafterdescribed. An electrically driven centrifugal pump 35 takes water fromthe supply tank 3% through the pipe 36 and delivers the same to thespray nozzles through the pipe 30.

drainage pipe 37 is connected to the frontor head end of the water panbeneatl the spray nozzles and delivers to the sewer or other point ofdischarge from the ma chine. The tail end of this pan is provided with adrain pipe 38 which delivers through pipe 39 axially into the rotaryscreen 40 (see Fig. V111).

A ii-shaped hopper-like collecting trough :1 is within the rotaryscreen, this trough being connected by pipe as through the T 43 and pipe1% to the sewer or other point of discharge.

The end of the pipe 39 is connected to the collecting trough 41 andserves as the support of the front end thereof and the discharge pipe 42is also connected to the trough 41 and serves as support for thetail endthereof and extends out through the end of the tank 34:. These pipestherefore together afiord support for the rotary screen, the head 45 and46 of which are provided with suitable journal bearings embracingjournals formed thereon. A gear 17 is secured to the head 16 of thescreen and is, driven by the pinion 18 carried by the coun- I tershaft49 which is driven by the pulley 50. This pulley is driven preferably byelectric motor 51 by the belt 52 (see Figs. V11 and V111).

A crew conveyor 53 is disposed in the bottom of the V-shaped hopper 41and the pipe 12, and is driven by sprocket- 54; carried by theflangedcover 55 of the pipe 12. This is driven by sprocket chain 56 from asprocket wheel 57 which is on the end of the countershaft 4:9. 7

Disposed above the rotary screen is the longitudinal shaft 58 carryingthe series of cross arms 59 with flexible tappers 60 for jarring the topof the screen to free it of debris (see Fig. IX). This is driven bysprocket 61 and sprocket chain 62 from the sprocket wheel 63 on thecounter-shaft 49 (see Fig. VIII). There is also provided a longitudinalspray pipe ea provided with nozzles like my improved nozzle 19 disposedand directed against the upper part of the rotary screen (see Figs. VIIIand IX) for washing debris from the same and discharging it downwardlyinto the V-shaped hopper 41. Where water is abundant the screen can bekept clean by these water sprays alone. Both clearing devices, however,are desirable to be provided, as they supplement each other. The tappers60 might be used SLllllClGIltlY to clear the screen completely but theywould wear the screen unduly if they did all the work. However, thescreen is readily renewable and the exigencies of any particularsituation or locality will determine the best course to pursue so far askeeping the screen clear is concerned.

In the operation it will be observed that the fruit or vegetable withthe disintegrated peel will be delivered into the water section from theleft hand of Fig. II, that is, into the head end at which point waterfrom the circulating system can be delivered with strong jets againstthe load of fruit or vegetables on the conveyer belt. The first spraysor pair of sprays will remove to a very large extent the disintegratedpeel. By closing the bottom partitions 24. at that point and dividingthe pair, this heavily loaded section will at once discharge into thesewer through the pipe 37. As the fruit advances beyond this section, itcan be sprayed by water from the circulating system which will drainthrough the pipe 38 down through the pipe 39 to the rotary screen, backinto the storage tank 34: ready to be passed by the centrifugal pump 35to the sprays repeatedly.

Absolutely clean water can be introduced into the last section throughthe pipe 29 by closing of the gate 31 in the header 28 at that point. Orclear water can be admitted into as many of the sections as may bedesired, and this clear unused water will also pass out through the pipe38 down into the system to pass through the rotary screen and to pumpand sprays.

In practice fresh water is usually admitted to as many sections at thetail of the water section as are drained from the head end of themachine directly into the sewer, through the pipe 37 so that the evensupply of water in the system is maintained by fresh water introduced atthe tail end of the machine to replace that drained away at the head,and by this means a thorough washing of all the fruit is accomplished bythe use of a minimum of fresh water introduced into the system in thisway. The spraying after the first section is largely for the purpose ofeliminating the lye, as the peel has usually been substantially removedby the sprays from the first or second cross pipes. Of course, wherewater is abundant, it will not be necessary to use the circulatingsystem at all, the fresh water can be delivered through the pipe 29 tothe sprays and the whole can be drained out to the sewer through thepipe 37. This, however, requires a large amount of water and would inmany instances entail an undue expense.

By providing the gages and globe valves to control, aheavy pressure canbe applied to the fruit for removing the peel, and lighter pressures forthe rinsing operation, thereby avoiding undue injury to the ripe fruitafter the peel has been removed, and yet'at the same time insurecomplete elimination of all lye or other caustic solution made use offor disintegrating the peel.

From this description it is clear that the specific features enumeratedhave special advantages and I therefore desire to claim the inventionspecifically and also to claim it broadly as pointed out in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In water spraying means for a peeling machine, the combination of acasing; an openwork conveyer therethrough; transverse spray pipesextending through the casing above and below said conveyer; a headerconnected to the said cross pipe connected at the tail end to a freshwater sup ply and connected at the other end to a circulating systemwith gates or valves therein; a drain for the front or head end of saidcasing delivering directly to the sewer or waste; a drain for the tailend of said machine; a storage tank containing a screen to receive thewater from the tail end of said machine; a circulating pump, the suctionof which is connected to said supply tank and the delivery end of whichis connected to the front end of said header to the sprays and apartition in the bottom of the tank beneath the sprays, whereby thesprays and the drainage therefrom can be controlled and deliveredseparately; substantially as specified.

2. In a water spraying means for a peeling machine, the combination of acasing, an openwork conveyer therethrough, a series of transverse spraypipes extending through the casing, with spray means to deliver sprayupon the load on said conveyer, a header conected to-the said transversepipes, a connection at the tail end of said header to a fresh watersupply, and a connection at the other end to a circulating system, gateson the said header to regulate the con nection and the amount of waterdelivered from either or both of said sources, a drain for the front orhead end of said casing delivering to waste, and a drain for the tailend of said casing, and adjustable partitions to regulate the flow ofwater to the said drains, a storage tank for collecting the water fromthe tail end of said machine, and a pump for pumping the water from thesaid storage to the head end of said header, coacting for the purposespecified.

8. In a water spray means for a peeling machine, the combination of anopen work conveyer, spray pipes, a collector pan beneath the saidsprays, with a drain at the front delivering directly to the waste orsewer, and a drain at the rear or tail, a storage tank for the saiddrainage from the tail, and a pump for delivering water from the saidstorage tank to the sprays at the head of the machine, coacting asspecified.

4 In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drainfrom the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screento receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drainconnecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support forsaid rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, ahopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screwconveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; arotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screento jar the debris from the said hopper, a spray pipe disposed above saidrotary screen for delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screenfrom debris; a circulating pump, the suction of which is connected tosaid tank and connected to deliver the water to the head end of saidmachine, coacting as specified.

5. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drainfrom the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screento receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drainconnecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support forsaid rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, ahopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screwconveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; aspray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for delivering spraysthereagainst to clear the screen from debris; a circulating pump, thesuction of which is connected to said tank and connected to deliver thewater to the head end of said machine, coacting as specified.

6. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a drainfrom the tail portion thereof; a storage tank containing a rotary screento receive the water from the tail end of said machine, a drainconnecting pipe extending into said tank and affording a support forsaid rotary screen, a discharge conveyer pipe from said rotary screen, ahopper within said screen connected to said discharge, and a screwconveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe for eliminating debris; arotary tapper means with flexible tappers above the said rotary screento jar the debris from the said hopper; a circulating pump, the suctionof which is connected to said tank and connected to deliver the water tothe head end of said machine, coacting as specified.

7. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a draintherefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive thewater from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into saidtank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a dischargeconveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screenconnected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper anddischarge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means withflexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from thesaid hopper, a spray pipe disposed above said rotary screen for.delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screen from debris; coactingas specified.

8. In a spray means fora peeling machine, a casing therefor, a draintherefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive thewater from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending into saidtank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a dischargeconveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a hopper within said screenconnected to said discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper anddischarge pipe for eliminating debris; a spray pipe disposed above saidrotary screen for delivering sprays thereagainst to clear the screenfrom debris, coacting as specified.

9. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a draintherefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive theWater from the said machine, a drain connecting pipe extending intosaidtank and affording a support for said rotary screen, a dischargeconveyer pipe from said rotary screen, a; hopper within said screenconnected tosaid discharge, and a screw conveyer in said hopper anddischarge pipe for eliminating debris; a rotary tapper means withflexible tappers above the said rotary screen to jar the debris from thesaid hopper, coacting as specified.

10. In a spray means for a peeling machine, a casing therefor, a draintherefrom; a storage tank containing a rotary screen to receive thewaterfrom the said machine, a

drain connecting pipe extending into said In Witness whereof I havehereunto set tank and affording a support for said rotary my hand andseal in the presence of two screen, a discharge conveyer pipe'from saidwitnesses.

rotary screen, a hopper Within said screen SAMUEL J. DUNKLEY. [L. s] 5connected to said discharge, and a screw Witnesses:

conveyer in said hopper and discharge pipe LUELLA G. GREENFIELD,

for eliminating debris; coacting as specified. MARTHA J. GREGORY.

